Recurring concern

Failure to reliably recognise and respond to drug and alcohol withdrawal in custody

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First reported 23 Mar 2015•Latest report 20 Feb 2026

Definition

What this concern includes

Includes failures of controls dedicated to recognising, assessing, communicating, monitoring or responding to drug or alcohol withdrawal in custody, including staff knowledge and training, withdrawal-sign information for detainees, objective assessment, escalation and urgent medical treatment.

Not included

  • Excludes generic clinical-recognition, first-aid or custody-healthcare deficiencies not specifically tied to drug or alcohol withdrawal.
  • Excludes medication prescribing or administration failures where withdrawal risk is not the identified unsafe condition.
  • Excludes substance misuse, intoxication or overdose concerns unless the reported deficiency specifically concerns withdrawal recognition or response.
  • Excludes failures occurring outside custody unless the assertion explicitly concerns the same custody withdrawal process.
Reports
6

Distinct published reports

Individual concerns
9

A report can raise multiple concerns

Date range
2015–2026

First to latest report issue date

Stated actions
10

Described in published responses

Reports over time

Reports over time

Reports about this concern issued each year.

* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.

Most frequent recipients

Most frequent recipients

Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.

Metropolitan Police Service2
Care Quality Commission1
Department of Health and Social Care1
G4S1
HM Inspectorate of Prisons1
Ministry of Justice1
National Police Chiefs’ Council1
Nestor Primecare Services Limited1
NHS England1
Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust1
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman1
Serco Group plc1
Sodexo1
South Yorkshire Police1
Staffordshire Police1

Concerns and responses across reports

Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.

  1. Inner North London

    AI-generated summary

    Sean Perry WILLIAMS · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Sean Williams died in the back of a Serco van outside Thames Magistrates’ Court after suffering a fit during transport and then a cardiac arrest. Concerns included gaps in his custody healthcare assessment and treatment, inadequate Serco first-aid training and competence assessment, failure to provide timely first aid, unclear emergency procedures, and insufficient emphasis on preserving life.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Failure of custody nurses to recognise and describe drug withdrawal signs and symptoms

    Wider context from the report

    “For the MPS The MPS had already recognised before inquest that, following Mr Williams’ detention, he was not seen by a custody nurse for 23 hours. However, there was another sub optimal element of his care that did not appear to have been identified. The custody nurse who reviewed Mr Williams on two separate occasions in the twelve hours immediately before he attended court, did not on the second occasion take any observations of Mr Williams’ vital signs before (or after) prescribing dihydrocodeine, and did not record any part of Mr Williams’ clinical picture. Despite having prescribed dihydrocodeine for drug withdrawal, when giving evidence in court the nurse was unable to describe the signs and symptoms of withdrawal. For Serco By 18.11 hours, the Serco van that was transporting Mr Williams had returned to the court car park entrance and the driver had got out of the cab and into the back of the van. At that point, neither the escort nor the driver opened the door to Mr Williams’ cell to administer first aid - at the very least to relieve his slumped, squashed position to try to deal with any potential airway obstruction. At 18.15 hours when he stopped showing any signs of life, they still did not open his door. They only opened his door at 18.23 hours, removing him from the cell at 18.24 hours, and administering chest compressions at 18.25 hours. The driver did not press the emergency button in the cab to alert the operations control centre of the situation. The Serco crew did call the London Ambulance Service from the van, but were unable to give the postcode of their location. I put it to the Serco driver that the focus of the two Serco crew members seemed to be on talking to the three other prisoners in their cells, on phone calls, in fact on anything except getting Mr Williams out of his cell to see if the crew could help him. The driver agreed. The Serco driver eventually administered chest compressions but could not face giving rescue breaths. He seemed to have forgotten that he had a face guard hanging from his belt. Despite evidence from Serco that they were satisfied with the first aid training that was given to the two officers, the jury found that: - the Serco first aid training was inadequate; - it did not include a video of a seizure; - it did not sufficiently emphasise the urgency of potentially life saving measures such as use of the recovery position; - the Serco assessment of the first aid knowledge and competence of its staff was inadequate; - Serco failed to provide clear guidance on the emergency button procedures; - Serco’s policy appeared to conflict with its training slides about whether staff should or are even permitted to drive a casualty direct to hospital; - Serco gave insufficient emphasis on urgency and the paramount importance of preserving life. ”

    Source location

    Sean Perry WILLIAMS · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 2 · concerns

    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Monitor compliance with case-finding and withdrawal-management protocols and provide feedback to healthcare practitioners who do not follow them.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “The MPS are monitoring compliance with protocols regarding ‘case finding’ and withdrawal management. Individual detainee cases are reviewed monthly, and feedback provided to HCPs who are not following clinical practice guidelines and actively completing the discussion with the Grip Sergeant.”

    Source location

    Response from Metropolitan Police Service
    Page 2 · response
    Published 24 February 2026

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Deliver induction and annual refresher training on detainee reassessment, vital signs, and recognition of drug and alcohol withdrawal.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “The importance of detainee reassessment (including vital signs) each time there is a clinical review cannot be underestimated, and this is communicated to all HCPs during the induction and annual refresher programme (Immediate Life Support and Professional Development Days).”

    Source location

    Response from Metropolitan Police Service
    Page 2 · response
    Published 24 February 2026

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Update withdrawal assessment tools and clinical guidelines to display COWS signs and symptoms and support earlier medication for detainees likely to withdraw.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “The template for opiate dependency / withdrawal uses the COWS score and the list of signs and symptoms are on the screen. Clinical practice guidelines have been updated to ensure that detainees who are likely to withdraw can be medicated earlier to prevent this.”

    Source location

    Response from Metropolitan Police Service
    Page 3 · response
    Published 24 February 2026

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Audit healthcare practitioners’ clinical documentation and provide feedback, guidance, and additional training where practice or records fall below the required standard.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “The Clinical Practice Guidelines followed by HCP in custody highlight this approach to safe care and assessment of detainees. Compliance with guidelines and quality of care delivered is monitored through HCP audits led by the Senior HCPs in each area. Feedback and guidance are provided where the documentation falls below, standards or there are learning needs to provide the standard of care expected from all HCPs working in MPS Custody Suites.”

    Source location

    Response from Metropolitan Police Service
    Page 3 · response
    Published 24 February 2026

    Open published response

  2. Inner West London

    AI-generated summary

    Mr Lee Martin Hughes, also known as Martin Lee Hughes · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Lee Martin Hughes was found deceased in his cell at HMP Wandsworth on 25 December 2021 while remanded in custody. The medical cause of death was methadone and benzodiazepine intoxication, and the jury concluded that drug-related misadventure was contributed to by neglect. Concerns included the assessment and prescribing of methadone, failure to respond appropriately to signs of sedation and impaired consciousness, and inadequate communication and escalation between healthcare disciplines.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Overreliance on subjective withdrawal symptoms rather than objective signs when assessing methadone need

    Wider context from the report

    “1. That clinicians, wishing to believe their patients, are relying too heavily on what patients tell them (symptoms) rather than looking for evidence (physical signs) of withdrawal, As such, given the particular difficulties of prescribing to prisoners, that objective signs of withdrawal assessments (OWS) should be used to determine whether methadone should be prescribed rather than the COWS score which contains many subjective factors and may be more easily manipulated by an inmate to appear as if that inmate is experiencing withdrawal from drugs necessitating an increase in methadone. ”

    Source location

    Mr Lee Martin Hughes, also known as Martin Lee Hughes · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 4 · concerns

    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Follow national guidance on any revised opiate withdrawal scale and support implementing an approved change.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “1. The replacement of COWS with an Opiate Withdrawal Scale which excludes subjective reported symptoms would provide a more objective measure of opiate withdrawal and has great merit. Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust would require any deviation from current standards to be ratified at a national level and across the entire prison estate before it could be recommended as standard care. This has been raised with commissioners and we will follow up the direction from NHSE in relation to the use of a new withdrawal scale, and will fully support implementation of any revision to national guidance. In the interim I do recognise and recommend that clinicians should focus more on objective signs of withdrawal than subjective ones.”

    Source location

    Response from Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
    Page 2 · response
    Published 6 March 2024

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Deliver case-based learning for prescribers on prioritising objective withdrawal signs over reported symptoms.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “As a result, HMP Wandsworth healthcare has already delivered a case-based learning event for all its prescribers, focussing on the risks of over relying on reported symptoms over verifiable clinical signs.”

    Source location

    Response from Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
    Page 2 · response
    Published 6 March 2024

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Discuss the case in a prescriber reflective-practice forum, focusing on individual history, clinical signs, investigations and cautious methadone dosing.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “3. This case has provoked a great deal of reflection on the balance of risks and benefits of methadone, especially in the first days of drug accumulation, and when prescribed alongside benzodiazepines or other sedatives. The findings and recommendations of Mr Hughes’ inquest have been shared with all prescribers. His case has already been discussed within a reflective practice forum for prescribers, focussing on the judicious interpretation of the individual patient’s history, clinical signs and investigations (such as urine drug screens), to prioritise safety with a ‘start low and go slow’ approach, even when this is unpopular with the patient.”

    Source location

    Response from Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
    Page 2 · response
    Published 6 March 2024

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent position was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    National standards and case-by-case clinical judgement are considered sufficient; NHS England will not mandate a particular withdrawal assessment tool.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “NHS England commissioned services use national clinical guidelines and the tools described in these to assess patients for opioid, or other withdrawal from dependence forming medicines. For opioid and benzodiazepines withdrawal this guidance is Drug misuse and dependence: UK guidelines on clinical management - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) along with guidance issued by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) which is found at Recommendations | Drug misuse in over 16s: opioid detoxification | Guidance | NICE.”

    Source location

    Response from NHS England
    Page 1 · response
    Published 6 March 2024

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent position was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Adopting an Opiate Withdrawal Scale requires national ratification and NHS England direction before it can become standard care.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “1. The replacement of COWS with an Opiate Withdrawal Scale which excludes subjective reported symptoms would provide a more objective measure of opiate withdrawal and has great merit. Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust would require any deviation from current standards to be ratified at a national level and across the entire prison estate before it could be recommended as standard care. This has been raised with commissioners and we will follow up the direction from NHSE in relation to the use of a new withdrawal scale, and will fully support implementation of any revision to national guidance. In the interim I do recognise and recommend that clinicians should focus more on objective signs of withdrawal than subjective ones.”

    Source location

    Response from Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
    Page 2 · response
    Published 6 March 2024

    Open published response

  3. Surrey

    AI-generated summary

    Natasha Learline CHIN · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Natasha Learline Chin died in her cell at HMP Bronzefield on 19 July 2016 after profuse vomiting associated with undertreated opiate and alcohol withdrawal. The report identified concerns about delayed medication, inadequate monitoring and escalation, failures in record-keeping and governance, and insufficient auditing and training.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Lack of audit of opiate and alcohol withdrawal observations

    Wider context from the report

    “1. The prison officer with responsibility for the wing on which Miss Chin was resident was not privy to what medication she was prescribed nor when it should be administered. There is no system in place for consent to be obtained from prisoners for this information to be shared with discipline staff. 2. The Sodexo Justice Service Protocols in respect of opiate and alcohol withdrawal did not adequately mirror the National Protocols and were, in parts, unclear and difficult to comprehend. 3. Nurses failed to make any datix referrals in respect of missed medications. 4. The following matters have to date not been formally audited by Sodexo Justice Services: i.) Whether prisoners who do not attend for prescribed medications are followed up and the reason for non-attendance is properly recorded. ii.) Whether critical medication is administered on time. iii.) Whether proper observations are undertaken in line with national or local protocols in respect of opiate and alcohol withdrawal. iv.) Whether medical records on System 1 are accurately recorded. v.) Whether the Patient Guidance Directions in respect of prescribing by nurses are adhered to, and whether medical records are checked before any prescriptions are made by nurses pursuant to the directive. 5. As a consequence it is not possible for Sodexo Justice Services to know whether the matters raised in 4.(i) to (v) have been adequately addressed. 6. The response by Sodexo Justice Services to the issues identified in the report dated the 13th April 2016 of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons in respect of non-administration of prescribed medication was inadequate. It does not appear that there was a clear line of governance in respect of this matter. 7. Whether there is adequate training: i.) of discipline and clinical staff, including agency staff, to make them aware of the signs and dangers of opiate and alcohol withdrawal. ii.) of clinical staff in respect of the completion of opiate and alcohol withdrawal scales. ”

    Source location

    Natasha Learline CHIN · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 4 · concerns

    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Inadequate training on opiate and alcohol withdrawal signs and dangers

    Wider context from the report

    “1. The prison officer with responsibility for the wing on which Miss Chin was resident was not privy to what medication she was prescribed nor when it should be administered. There is no system in place for consent to be obtained from prisoners for this information to be shared with discipline staff. 2. The Sodexo Justice Service Protocols in respect of opiate and alcohol withdrawal did not adequately mirror the National Protocols and were, in parts, unclear and difficult to comprehend. 3. Nurses failed to make any datix referrals in respect of missed medications. 4. The following matters have to date not been formally audited by Sodexo Justice Services: i.) Whether prisoners who do not attend for prescribed medications are followed up and the reason for non-attendance is properly recorded. ii.) Whether critical medication is administered on time. iii.) Whether proper observations are undertaken in line with national or local protocols in respect of opiate and alcohol withdrawal. iv.) Whether medical records on System 1 are accurately recorded. v.) Whether the Patient Guidance Directions in respect of prescribing by nurses are adhered to, and whether medical records are checked before any prescriptions are made by nurses pursuant to the directive. 5. As a consequence it is not possible for Sodexo Justice Services to know whether the matters raised in 4.(i) to (v) have been adequately addressed. 6. The response by Sodexo Justice Services to the issues identified in the report dated the 13th April 2016 of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons in respect of non-administration of prescribed medication was inadequate. It does not appear that there was a clear line of governance in respect of this matter. 7. Whether there is adequate training: i.) of discipline and clinical staff, including agency staff, to make them aware of the signs and dangers of opiate and alcohol withdrawal. ii.) of clinical staff in respect of the completion of opiate and alcohol withdrawal scales. ”

    Source location

    Natasha Learline CHIN · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 4 · concerns

    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Unclear and incomplete protocols for opiate and alcohol withdrawal

    Wider context from the report

    “1. The prison officer with responsibility for the wing on which Miss Chin was resident was not privy to what medication she was prescribed nor when it should be administered. There is no system in place for consent to be obtained from prisoners for this information to be shared with discipline staff. 2. The Sodexo Justice Service Protocols in respect of opiate and alcohol withdrawal did not adequately mirror the National Protocols and were, in parts, unclear and difficult to comprehend. 3. Nurses failed to make any datix referrals in respect of missed medications. 4. The following matters have to date not been formally audited by Sodexo Justice Services: i.) Whether prisoners who do not attend for prescribed medications are followed up and the reason for non-attendance is properly recorded. ii.) Whether critical medication is administered on time. iii.) Whether proper observations are undertaken in line with national or local protocols in respect of opiate and alcohol withdrawal. iv.) Whether medical records on System 1 are accurately recorded. v.) Whether the Patient Guidance Directions in respect of prescribing by nurses are adhered to, and whether medical records are checked before any prescriptions are made by nurses pursuant to the directive. 5. As a consequence it is not possible for Sodexo Justice Services to know whether the matters raised in 4.(i) to (v) have been adequately addressed. 6. The response by Sodexo Justice Services to the issues identified in the report dated the 13th April 2016 of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons in respect of non-administration of prescribed medication was inadequate. It does not appear that there was a clear line of governance in respect of this matter. 7. Whether there is adequate training: i.) of discipline and clinical staff, including agency staff, to make them aware of the signs and dangers of opiate and alcohol withdrawal. ii.) of clinical staff in respect of the completion of opiate and alcohol withdrawal scales. ”

    Source location

    Natasha Learline CHIN · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 4 · concerns

    Open source report

  4. East London

    AI-generated summary

    Mr Valdas Jasiunas · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Mr Valdas Jasiunas, who had serious underlying health problems including chronic alcohol liver disease and seizures, was arrested and held in police custody on 1 September 2010. He collapsed in his cell the following morning and died in hospital on 2 September 2010. Concerns included the identification and management of alcohol dependency, erroneous custody-record entries that could provide false reassurance, and communication difficulties where English was not the detainee’s first language.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Unavailability of alcohol-withdrawal information leaflets in different languages

    Wider context from the report

    “3. There were some questions marks around the full understanding of Mr Jasiunas as English was not his first language. The Medical Director of the Forensic Healthcare services has confirmed that a very helpful leaflet is now provided to detained persons in custody setting out the signs and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. The leaflet is not yet available in different languages. The FME stated that in East London, a number of detained persons are of Eastern European origin. The leaflet may well assist in ensuring that relevant signs and symptoms are brought to the attention of custody staff. Availability of the leaflet in the most common presenting languages is likely to ensure that more detained persons are able to understand and communicate significant concerns. ”

    Source location

    Mr Valdas Jasiunas · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 2 · concerns

    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Lack of a specific alcohol-dependency question in custody-suite risk assessments

    Wider context from the report

    “1. It was noted that staff in custody suites have to deal with a large number of detained persons who suffer from alcohol dependency. The risks of withdrawal to those who are alcohol dependent are wide ranging from shakes and tremors to death. In light of the frequency of dealing with detained persons who suffer from alcohol dependency and in light of the severity of the potential risk, it was considered that a specific question in the risk assessment document as to dependency on alcohol should be included. The current risk assessment simply states “are you dependent on drugs or any other substance”. A directly pointed question relating to alcohol is likely to be of greater assistance in ensuring that the risk is clearly identified, assessed and managed. ”

    Source location

    Mr Valdas Jasiunas · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 2 · concerns

    Open source report

  5. Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire

    AI-generated summary

    Name not published · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    The deceased was arrested on 2 October 2011 and held in custody, where he received prescribed methadone and medication for alcohol withdrawal. He was found unresponsive in his cell shortly before 9.00pm on 3 October 2011; the recorded medical cause of death was methadone intoxication, with alcohol withdrawal in a chronic alcoholic also identified. Concerns included communication between medical practitioners and custody staff, inconsistent observation levels, joint training, and training on drug and alcohol-related risks.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Insufficient targeted training on drug and alcohol-related risks in custody

    Wider context from the report

    “5. That training should include targeted training on the risks and dangers of drug and alcohol abuse, including methadone intoxication and alcohol withdrawal, particularly if the detainee is likely to be in custody for upwards of 24 hours. ”

    Source location

    Name not published · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 2 · concerns

    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Secure force training on drug and alcohol risks, including methadone intoxication and alcohol withdrawal.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “5. Training will be secured by the Force regarding the risks and dangers of drug and alcohol abuse, including Methadone intoxication and alcohol withdrawal. This will be built into the aforementioned training programme.”

    Source location

    2015-0138-Response-by-Staffordshire-Police
    Page 2 · response
    Published 15 April 2015

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Provide mandatory first-aid induction training, including defibrillator, advanced airway, drug and alcohol risk training, with annual refresher training for detention officers.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “5. As per response three above, G4S have and continue to provide mandatory first aid training to each of its custody officers as part of an initial induction training programme. The first aid training is taught over three days and includes (but is not limited to); Defibrillator and Advanced Airway training; training on Alcohol and Drugs (including associated risks). In addition, each of the custody detention officers is required to undertake a refresher first aid training course annually. Again training on the risks and dangers of drug and alcohol abuse will be taught during that refresher course. G4S will also examine opportunities to provide additional guidance via an ‘on line’ Learning Management System.”

    Source location

    2015-0138-Response-by-G4S1
    Page 2 · response
    Published 15 April 2015

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Examine opportunities to provide additional drug and alcohol risk guidance through an online learning management system.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “5. As per response three above, G4S have and continue to provide mandatory first aid training to each of its custody officers as part of an initial induction training programme. The first aid training is taught over three days and includes (but is not limited to); Defibrillator and Advanced Airway training; training on Alcohol and Drugs (including associated risks). In addition, each of the custody detention officers is required to undertake a refresher first aid training course annually. Again training on the risks and dangers of drug and alcohol abuse will be taught during that refresher course. G4S will also examine opportunities to provide additional guidance via an ‘on line’ Learning Management System.”

    Source location

    2015-0138-Response-by-G4S1
    Page 2 · response
    Published 15 April 2015

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent position was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Existing guidance and training already address drug and alcohol risks, withdrawal, and referral for medical assessment where concerns arise.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “5. That training should include targeted training on the risks and dangers of drug and alcohol abuse, including methadone intoxication and alcohol withdrawal, particularly if the detainee is likely to be in custody for upwards of 24 hours.”

    Source location

    2015-0138-Response-by-College-of-Policing
    Page 2 · response
    Published 15 April 2015

    Open published response

  6. South Yorkshire (Western)

    AI-generated summary

    Neil Budziszewski · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Neil Budziszewski was arrested for theft while intoxicated and detained overnight at Ecclesfield Police Station after being charged. He was found dead in his cell before being transferred to court. The report identified numerous failures involving risk assessment, communication and handovers, monitoring, recording, and obtaining medical assessment, including failures to recognise and respond to the risks of acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Risk of fatal acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome when unmanaged

    Wider context from the report

    “(29) Expert evidence was given that acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome is associated with a high risk of death if not managed properly. The early symptoms such as shaking or retching (both displayed by Mr Budziszewski) indicate a rather lower risk but that could grow with time. ”

    Source location

    Neil Budziszewski · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 4 · concerns

    Open source report
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Data last updated 7 September 2026